Cog-Dog Radio
Sarah Stremming, The Cognitive Canine
Dog trainer, blogger, competitor.
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 10min
Regulated Vigilance
Learn how to help your dog navigate tough situations with regulated vigilance. Discover the crucial difference between calm and regulated emotions in dog guardianship. Explore common distractions that undermine vigilance and practical tips to maintain awareness. Find out how off-leash practice and mindful breathing can enhance your connection with your dog. Sarah offers tools and exercises to improve emotional regulation, ensuring every walk is a chance to strengthen your bond.

13 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 19min
REPLAY: Upgrade Dogs
Is a faster dog truly an upgrade? Explore the allure of speed and the responsibilities that come with higher energy pups. Uncover the unique needs of different breeds and the importance of handling skills to prevent on-course mishaps. Learn the significance of immediate responses during training and how to effectively modify barking behavior. Plus, find out why certain behaviors deserve continuous reinforcement for reliable results. Get insights on whether you're ready for a new dog adventure!

17 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 29min
REPLAY: Manage, Enrich, or Train?
Explore the crucial balance between environmental management, enrichment, and training for dogs. Discover how to use management to minimize problem behaviors and the importance of enrichment in fostering natural instincts. Learn practical solutions for litter box raids, barking, and dog-cat conflicts, and recognize when training skills are necessary. Sarah offers insights into collaboration among professionals and the complexities of handling canine reactivity, while also providing tips for managing exuberant greetings and fostering trust in humans.

Sep 23, 2025 • 17min
Repair vs Rescue: When Food is and is Not Helpful
This discussion dives deep into the dual nature of food in dog training. It explores the difference between using food for immediate rescue versus long-term repair. Sarah shares a personal experience illustrating how food can succeed or fail in high-stress situations. She outlines a helpful three-step approach for fearful dogs and warns against the pitfalls of misusing food, stressing the importance of timing and trust. This nuanced look challenges conventional views and offers valuable insights on when food can truly help.

5 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 11min
Post-Restraint Collapse
Dive into the intriguing concept of 'post-restraint collapse' and learn how it mirrors children's meltdowns. The hosts share personal anecdotes and effective techniques to help dogs express their needs during high-stress moments. Discover how varied leashing methods and food reinforcement can play a crucial role in mitigating these outbursts, offering a smarter approach to managing canine behavior.

Sep 2, 2025 • 11min
Finding Your Guide
Explore the adventure of becoming a skilled dog trainer. Discover the importance of diverse mentors and hands-on experiences. Learn how navigating the dog behavior world can feel like a hero's journey. Uncover tips for finding your own guide in this field. Get insights on applying for mentorship and improving your training skills.

10 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 26min
REPLAY: Surprise Party Sue
Explore the connection between canine excitement and human behavior through a hilarious SNL skit about Surprise Party Sue. Discover insights on managing your dog's anticipatory excitement and fostering healthier behaviors. The discussion also tackles real-life challenges with a reactive young dog, highlighting environmental management and the importance of tailored training strategies. Get ready for a mix of humor and practical advice that will change the way you understand your furry friend!

13 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 21min
Patreon Minisode 7
Dive into the world of puppy training as experts tackle fascinating topics! Learn about managing barking pharaoh hounds and car aversions while integrating practical advice. Discover resources for raising sport puppies and establishing trust-based training. The discussion also navigates the complexities of puppy behavior, including handling reactions to inanimate objects. Ethical training practices take center stage, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the dog training industry.

10 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 22min
When Your Dog is Afraid: Real Story
A personal hiking story unfolds as a dog grapples with fear from overhead hang gliders. The discussion emphasizes a three-step process to help canines cope with anxiety. Trust and understanding in the owner-pet relationship are spotlighted, offering insights for dog owners dealing with their pets’ fears.

Aug 12, 2025 • 22min
Becoming a Dog Trainer: A Hero's Journey
The adage goes that we can all learn something from everyone. But if you are learning from everyone, are you actually learning from anyone? Sarah posits in this description of dog training education as a hero’s journey of sorts that there are five categories of teachers that matter; and knowing which kind you are being presented with is vital to true growth as a professional or a hobbyists.
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Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay


